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Has anyone tried a T.E.N.S unit for alternate pain relief?

I've been reading about the use of T.E.N.S (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units for the use of musculoskeletal and arthritis pain and am wondering if anyone here has tried it for alternate pain relief?

Its a little wearable unit that takes a 9 volt battery and has 4 leeds (wires) and 4 electrodes (pads with sticky jelly on them), it transmits electrical pulse through the skin.
Its supposed to stimulate nerve fiber and temporarily block the transmission of pain to the brain... Its a very minor treatment and also very localized but could it help?

The reason I ask is that I started working in a physio clinic doing billing and admin work and I noticed them in the inventory.
I was thinking about sending one to my mom to try but I'm wondering if this would help, hinder or just be ineffective?

i use a different style, for circulation improvement.
this does reduce the pain level also.

i use one that is shaped to allow you to place both feet onto the unit.
it also has the ability to attach wires.
these wires are used for pads, or gloves.

you can place the pads anywhere on your body.
i use the gloves mostly.

i use it in winter to increase my circulation.
by increasing my circulation, i decrease the pain in the effected area.
when i get too cold it hurts.........
increase the circulation....decrease the pain.

Bobbi,
I have a TENS unit just like you described. My physical therapist was using one on my legs, and ordered one for home use. The insurance paid for the rental, and they have a policy of paying for a year, then the equipment is yours. I found it interesting that the insurance paid $85, I paid $10 per month for my wheelchair, and that it was exactly the same price for the TENS unit. My electrical engineer hubby laughs that he could probably build one for under $20.
I've given it a few tries on the calf muscles that spasm, but I really haven't noticed that it does much good. The thing that helps me the most is my wonderful masseuse. I walk out of there feeling really good, but the muscles are tight and spasming again by that night - sigh!
My PT has a whirlpool hot tub with a treadmill built in. That thing was wonderful! I could actually walk well with the water holding me up. Unfortunately, my prescription for PT has run out, so I'm back to pain and spasming again.
Your Mom might want to give the TENS unit a try - it couldn't hurt - and it does feel sort of good.
Hugs,
Marla

Cool steve, I didn't think of gloves, that's a really great application for it. A friend on facebook mentioned to me the other day he squeezes his wife's hands when they ache to help relieve the pain and suggested that someone should make squeezie gloves... I thought that it was a fun and warm idea but perhaps a little impractical hahaha. TENS gloves is just plain neat.

Originally Posted by steve.bryce

these wires are used for pads, or gloves.

Thank you both for the input!

Marla, I wish I could send both you and my mom a full-time masseuse, but I'd have to win the lottery first! lol.
A hot tub sounds like a really great help too... you might not be able to have a built-in treadmill but putting a few dollars away each month for a personal hot tub sounds like a great plan.
As for the tens unit, I think I'm going to pick one up and send it to my mom to give it a try since they seem reasonably priced at the clinic. Anything that might help is worth a try.
Its crazy that they charge the same amount for that as for the wheelchair. I visited an OT Rehab center recently with classmates at school and was amazed to find out the cost of some of the different wheelchairs they had, even the simple ones. Also the cushion cost for something that fits well is outrageous...

Maybe when I'm done my degree and paying off what I like to think of as "my partial house of education" I'll look into getting my mom a small hot tub
PS. If I ever do win big on the lottery you'll have to tell me where to deliver yours *wink*

i use a different style, for circulation improvement.
this does reduce the pain level also.

i use one that is shaped to allow you to place both feet onto the unit.
it also has the ability to attach wires.
these wires are used for pads, or gloves.

you can place the pads anywhere on your body.
i use the gloves mostly.

i use it in winter to increase my circulation.
by increasing my circulation, i decrease the pain in the effected area.
when i get too cold it hurts.........
increase the circulation....decrease the pain.

Hi Steve
What is the brand? Where did you get it from? I find increasing the circulation with heat packs that relieves my pain. Has anyone else used these things?

Desley
For every dark cloud there is a silver lining!
Diagnosed: Lupus; mesenteric panniculitis; fat nacrosis;